Controls Upgrade and Custom PSE Incentive

In 2020, the MultiCare Covington Clinic issued a request for a proposal for an HVAC controls upgrade and replacement of their aging and inefficient existing building automation system. ATS successfully won the bid and was contracted to perform the controls equipment upgrade and replacement. ATS could have successfully completed a like-for-like control system replacement, having the system utilize the same operational sequences, setpoints, and functions. Instead, ATS felt there was an opportunity to do more for the customer and make a real difference in energy and operational efficiency at the Clinic.

HVAC Controls Incentive

To make the controls upgrade have a more significant impact on the Clinic, the initial scope needed to be increased to include ASHRAE Guideline 36 high-efficiency sequences, balancing, and ASHRAE 62.1 zone ventilation calculations. To pay for the additional scope, ATS proposed utilizing Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Major HVAC Controls Incentive Program. Using the incentive program added additional reporting, functional testing, training, and measurement and verification tasks to the project but also provided the potential for additional incentive funds to enact energy efficiency measures that would make an impact on the bottom line at the Clinic. MultiCare signed off on the change order for additional efficiency measures, and ATS managed the PSE incentive program for the project’s duration.

Half of the Upgrade Paid for with Incentives

For the additional scope of work, the ATS Controls Team worked hand in hand with ATS Energy Services to not only replace the physical aging controls hardware but also to develop and deploy modern high-efficiency sequences and programming. The HVAC system was rebalanced as part of the project, and outside air flow (OSA) measuring stations were installed to guarantee the Clinic is ventilated to
ASHRAE standards. In addition to enhanced sequences, ATS Energy Engineers spent considerable time scheduling zones and equipment for the facility and determining zone airflow setpoints using ventilation calculations, ensuring energy was used only when needed.

The PSE incentive program provides a base incentive that awards kWh/Therm reduction, paying out up to 35% of the project cost, and a performance incentive that rewards whole building savings over 6% for the first year of operation. As a result of the energy efficiency work that was performed, MultiCare received a base incentive of $61,344 and an additional performance incentive of $211,924 for a total of $273,268 in received funds from PSE’s incentive program. This effectively paid for half of the upgrade project without factoring in ongoing utility savings that will be realized in the future. During the reporting period, the Clinic reduced its electric use by 26% and its natural gas use by 54% from baseline measurements.

Washington State Clean Building Performance Standard Impact

The Clean Building Performance Standard in Washington State is a performance-based energy efficiency program that requires facilities to meet or beat an energy use intensity (EUI) target to be compliant. The energy efficiency program enacted by ATS significantly decreased the Clinic’s EUI from a starting EUI of 110 to an ending EUI of 78. This puts the Clinic in an excellent position as they report back to the State to comply with the clean building legislation.

Virginia Mason Medical Center is comprised of multiple buildings including the Benaroya Research Institute, Jones, Buck and Lindeman Pavilions. It holds a 336-bed teaching hospital. The Center recently built a new patient tower that is 342, 000-SF and 14 stories that included five below-grade floors for emergency fuel storage, a central utility plant and future operating room space. The nine-story concrete structure above-grade incorporates a new emergency department, a patient bed floor and shell space for future tenant improvements. An interstitial floor serves each tenant floor below. A sky bridge and connections to the adjacent hospital tower at each floor were included in the project. Alerton controls and/or monitors the patient rooms, central utility plant with steam and condensate, medical gas, chilled water, hot water heating and condenser water.

ATS also replaced a legacy Siemens system in the Benaroya Research Institute with Alerton and the JCI system in the existing hospital and CUP.

 

Major hospital project that consists of nine stories, 350,000 sq. ft., hospital tower, a central utility plant upgrade with a connecting tunnel between the CUP and the new hospital building and a parking garage.  Good Sam Patient Care Tower is the first hospital in Washington State to achieve LEED Silver.  The HVAC system reduces energy consumption by utilizing low-velocity ducting, high-efficiency chillers and mid-building air handlers.  In addition, 100% outside air for optimum infection control, heat recovery system further contributes to the building’s energy conservation measures. ATS installed Alerton controls on the AHUs and central utility plant plus Phoenix air valves were installed in the patient rooms. Project received LEED Sliver rating.

 

Evergreen Medical Center – Redmond is a 49, 074 ft2. 3-story primary and critical care facility with a level III trauma center, diagnostic imaging and laboratory / surgical services. Patients are served by 16 fully-equipped emergency care rooms, 5 urgent care rooms and 31 primary care exam rooms. On-site diagnostic imaging services include MRI, CT scan and X-ray. ATS provided Alerton controls throughout including pressurization controls in critical spaces.